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Add another European jewel before or after your river cruise explorations with this optional extension to historic Bruges. You'll get to know this well-preserved medieval city with an included canal boat cruise beneath its graceful bridges, as well as a walking tour along its cobbled streets. You'll admire the juxtaposition of historic Burg Square, City Hall, and more!
Depart home for your overnight flight
Tonight, embark on your overnight flight to Bruges, Belgium via Brussels.
Transfer to Bruges and embark on an orientation walk
You'll arrive in Brussels today and transfer to the famously quaint city of Bruges. After checking into your hotel, you'll set off on an orientation walk with your City Host. This evening, you'll have a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
Included meals:
Delve into Bruges with a walking tour and canal cruise
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, and then embark on a walking tour of this charming city. Explore the Market Square and see the iconic Church of Our Lady from the outside — its tower is the second-largest brickwork tower in the world, and is truly a sight to behold. You'll also set off on a canal cruise that will allow you to admire the arched bridges and charming gardens as your boat plies these tranquil waters. Your afternoon is at leisure to explore the same canals, as well as the lovely homes once owned by wealthy textile merchants. You can also discover Bruges' restaurants and shops, perhaps even seeing some hand-made lace, a product for which Bruges is renowned.
Discover the city’s magic on your own
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then a day at leisure to discover this magical city on your own. Perhaps you’ll head to a local pub for some beer tasting, or stop at a bakery for a delicious Belgian "lace cookie." Dinner is on your own this evening.
Transfer to Amsterdam and join the base program
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, before transferring by motorcoach to Amsterdam to join Day 2 of the Base Program.
Nestled deep in the heart of the Bavarian Alps, Oberammergau is one of the postcard-perfect Germany villages filled with charming homes decorated with Lüftlmalerei wall paintings, intricate wood carvings, and a small tight-knit community of just 5,100. It’s always special indeed, but once every 10 years this village expands to an even larger community of the faithful or just about anyone interested in history for one of the most fascinating, long-running spectacles in the world: the Oberammergau Passion Play. Occurring every decade since 1634, with roles depicting the life of Jesus filled by just about every villager, this 380-year event in the making will be presented exclusively for Vantage travelers on special Switzerland, the Heart of the Rhine & Moselle trip extensions. You’ll enjoy some of the best show seats and the most enriching features as only Vantage can present them — but hurry, tickets sell out months in advance so you should reserve this experience today.
Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience on our August 31, 2022 departure.
Travel with Vantage for these exclusive features:
Transfer to Munich and visit Bregenz along the way
Today, bid travelers on your base tour auf Wiedersehen (with free time in Bregenz / Lake Constance for lunch with provided lunch boxes from the ship) and board a motorcoach bound for the Bavarian capital of Munich. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel and enjoy leisure time before dinner this evening.
Experience the main event: The Oberammergau Passion Play
This morning, you’ll transfer to the charming village of Oberammergau for the main event — its once-a-decade Passion Play!
Held every decade for 380 years, the world’s largest nonprofessional drama performance depicting the life and times of Christ means there are some very special laws in effect here. All participants, from speaking parts such as Jesus or Mary, right down to members of the choir and ushers, must have been born in Oberammergau or lived there for at least 20 years in order to participate in the summer’s 102 performances. No makeup is used and village men are required to grow a beard before the main event. Vantage has secured some of the best tickets — which often sell out up to a year in advance. Besides your seat for this fascinating spectacle, you’ll also get some collectible gifts, including a chair cushion for the 7-hour performance (in German, with English subtitles on screen). But don’t worry, there is an intermission!
After the show, return to your hotel in Oberammergau.
More of magnificent Munich
Depart Oberammergau this morning for Munich, where you’ll arrive at lunchtime. Explore the city center and enjoy lunch on your own before a panoramic tour of Munich by coach. It will include most of the city’s highlights: the the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square and its neo-Gothic town hall, which features a glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts 16th century tales. Perhaps you’ll ask your City Host where to enjoy one of the city’s best brews, since it is renowned for its lively Oktoberfest celebration. Your afternoon is at leisure, and tonight you’ll enjoy a Farewell Drink and Dinner at the hotel with your fellow travelers.
Return home
This morning, you’ll depart from the Munich airport bound back home to the USA.
